January 13, 2013

Seantrel Henderson, This Is Your Life!

Update: Seantrel Henderson announced he would return for his final season of eligibility, but there has been no announcement of alleged NCAA infractions committed by Miami. Columnist Greg Cote of the Miami Herald writes that enough is enough. The school either deserves a notice of allegations or a letter of apology from the NCAA.

Today we revisit the case of one Seantrel Henderson. Remember him?

Henderson was the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2010 out of Cretin-Derham Hall High in Minnesota. He's back in the news again because on Monday, the offensive lineman will announce whether he plans to return for his final season of eligibility at Miami or play his odds in the NFL draft. The smart money has been on Henderson returning, but that was before word leaked that the NCAA planned to deliver a list of alleged infractions to the school on the same day.

If Henderson is looking for the first ride out of town, it wouldn't come as a surprise to anyone at USC. Henderson bailed on that school after it was slapped with NCAA probation in 2010. Who could forget his signing day announcement on CBS College Sports that he was going to be a Trojan? The video proof is above.

But the 6-foot-8, 340-pound manchild leveraged NCAA sanctions against USC to get out of his scholarship. He transferred to Miami, where it has been a bumpy ride at best.

Henderson started nine games made several all-freshman teams at Da U, but then had offseason back surgery. Miami also changed coaches, firing Randy Shannon and hiring Al Golden, which reportedly did not go over well with Henderson, who was said to be considering another transfer.

Golden eventually suspended Henderson for the 2011 opener against Maryland and he started only two games as a sophomore.

Last August, Henderson was involved in a car accident. He suffered a concussion and was cited for driving with an expired license and running a red light. That led to an up and down junior season. Pro scouts question Henderson's ability to handle speed rushers and he is regarded as a sixth- or seventh-round pick should he declare for the draft.

Recruiting gurus were calling Henderson a can't-miss player during his senior year in high school in 2009. College coaches pushed each other aside to get his attention. Ohio State and Minnesota reported violations for their recruitment of Henderson. Former Buckeye Cris Carter and Ohio State president Gordon Gee were caught on tape fawning over Henderson (below).

The NFL is a man's league and Henderson, by most accounts, remains a big kid. He'd be smart to ignore the hype for once and stay at Miami for his final season of eligibility.